Diabetes decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities due to exposure to chemicals/defoliants during active duty in Korea. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures, issue a formal finding if possible, and then refer the case to an appropriate clinician for medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the conditions with consideration of the reported exposures.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes due to herbicide agent exposure, as there was not substantial compliance with the June 2021 Board remand directives regarding verification of in-service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for his diabetic peripheral neuropathy due to issues with defining what constitutes 'moderately severe' incomplete paralysis and considering whether VA should obtain private treatment records from a non-VA provider.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, Meniere's disease, diabetes, tendonitis of the right wrist, mild osteoarthritis of the left knee, and mild osteoarthritis of the right knee, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 6, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus and remanded the remaining issues. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical evidence, including treatment records from private providers, and to schedule examinations for the appellant's right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathies of the feet, left elbow disability, and TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's back disability, rhinitis, and other conditions. The VA will attempt to obtain relevant private treatment records from WHC and Dr. S., as well as any outstanding VA treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled for these claims.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension are granted as presumptively due to herbicide agent exposure under the PACT Act.,Diabetic left foot ulcer is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and related diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis for diabetes mellitus, type II due to in-service Agent Orange exposure. Secondary service connection is also granted for diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hyperlipidemia, temporal arteritis and giant cell arteritis with elevated sedimentation rate, headaches, coronary artery disease, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and eye disease. The appeal is based on exposure to aviation fuel during service.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus due to potential exposure to toxic substances in service. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to high cholesterol, visual disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer residuals, and ischemic heart disease have been granted under the PACT Act. The claim for bilateral shoulder disability remains pending.

The Veteran's diabetes and related neuropathy conditions are being remanded for further development, including clarification of hospitalization dates and additional medical evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received, but did not consider SSA records in its decision. The case is being returned to the RO to obtain these records.

The Veteran's hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are granted as service connected under the PACT Act. The issue of service connection for hypertension prior to the PACT Act's effective date is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ needs to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress and psychotic features was granted. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type II, chronic stage 4 kidney disease, heart disease, diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities, and diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities were all denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for type 2 diabetes mellitus was denied as his disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the Veteran's son, F., being recognized as a helpless child due to permanent incapacity of self-support prior to age 18. The decision is based on recent medical statements indicating his condition worsened over time.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome was granted a 40% rating effective June 12, 2012.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted effective January 18, 2012.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The case was remanded for further action on the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder.